Nippertown Grammy Nominations

The Grammy nominations have been announced, and we’d like to send our congratulations to a number of Nippertonians who have been honored for their work this past year, including producer Joel Moss, musicians Levon Helm and Steve Earle and the record label Planet Arts.

At the top of the list is Saratoga Springs engineer and producer Joel Moss, who is gunning for his sixth Grammy Award. He has been nominated in the Best Musical Theater Album category for his production of the cast album for “Anything Goes.” He’s previously snagged Grammys for his work with Tony Bennett, Ray Charles (including Album of the Year for “Genius Loves Company”), the compilation soundtrack for the film “Chicago” and the cast album of “In the Heights.”

A pair of veteran Woodstockers also earned nominations this year, with Levon Helm getting a nom in the Best Americana Album category for “Ramble at the Ryman,” with Steve Earle was honored with a nomination in the Best Folk Album category for “I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive.” Helm’s two previous albums – “Dirt Farmer” and “Electric Dirt” – both won Grammys. Earle has previously won Grammys for “The Revolution Starts…Now,” “Washington Square Serenade” and “Townes.”

And finally, let’s hear it for Planet Arts, the little record company that could. Tom Bellino’s small, not-for-profit jazz label based in Catskill has produced yet another album by the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra that’s earned a Grammy nomination. Bob Brookmeyer was honored with a nomination in the Best Instrumental Arrangement category for “Nasty Dance,” which appears on VJO’s double-CD set, “Forever Lasting: Live in Tokyo.” VJO has previously won two Grammys for albums on the Planet Arts label – “The Way: Music of Slide Hampton” and “Monday Night Live at the Village Vanguard.”

The Grammy Award winners will be announced on Sunday, February 12.